Islanders Past and Present: Anders Kallur and Zach Parise
If one word could describe the similar styles of four-time Stanley Cup-winner Anders Kallur and aspiring titlist Zach Parise, it would be streamlined.
If one word could describe the similar styles of four-time Stanley Cup-winner Anders Kallur and aspiring titlist Zach Parise it would be streamlined.
When Kallur arrived at Al Arbour's training camp in September 1979, he had established himself in Scandinavia as one of Sweden's foremost stick handlers and skaters.
"One of the reasons I signed him," general manager Bill Torrey asserted, "was his racing car speed. And we also knew that Anders had a lot more offensive assets."
Scouts didn't have to cross an ocean to discover Parise. He was a child star at the famed Minnesota hockey training ground, Shattuck-St. Mary's school. His dad, former Islanders hero, J.P. Parise already was teaching there.
"Zach was a lot like his father," said Glenn (Chico) Resch, the former Islanders, and Devils goaltender. "He hustled, he had a nose for the net and good speed.
After doing his basic training at Shattuck, Zach graduated to the University of North Dakota where he received a Hobey Baker Award nomination and was a first-team All-American. The Devils then general manager Lou Lamoriello picked Parise 17th overall in the 2003 Entry Draft.
Because of the NHL lockout during 2004-05, Zach played his first pro season for New Jersey's farm team, the Albany River Rats. He moved up to the NHL the next season.
"Some hockey people said that Zach was too small for NHL play," Lamoriello recalled, "but he had the goods."
In fact, he scored a goal in his first contest with New Jersey in the same game that Sidney Crosby made his NHL debut.
"Zach had a breakout season in Jersey during 2008-09," remembered Devils radio analyst and former Islander goalie Chico Resch.
Parise played in 82 games and totaled 45-49-94 and eventually wound up as a free agent signing with the Minnesota Wild in July 2012. But Lou never forgot him, and on September 10, 2021, Zach rejoined his former boss; this time as an Islander.
Those who thought that Zach had lost his scoring knack were sadly mistaken. At the moment, he's third behind Brock Nelson and Anders Lee in goal-scoring with 21 red lights. His 11 assists give him a total of 32 points and a plus-7 rating.
Like Parise, Anders Kallur was considered too small to handle the rougher NHL style than the hockey played in his native Sweden.
"I wasn't swayed by the skeptics," said Islanders general manager. Bill Torrey. "Anders was the Swedish MVP in 1978-79. That was good enough for me."
Kallur came to the Islanders camp in September 1979. "I was 'tested' by some of the big guys," Anders recently told me, "but I made it through camp and (coach) Al Arbour had liked my game to put me on the big team."
Over 76 games as a rookie, Anders' arithmetic was impressive. He potted 22 goals and added 30 helpers for 52 points.
"My big issue was getting used to the smaller NHL rinks," said Kallur. "Once I got past that issue, I was fine."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckovlow2m4s[/embed]
He sure was and proved to be a key -- though less publicized player on the Islanders' four-Stanley Cup dynasty.
In a sense, the streamlined style that had made Anders Kallur so successful as an Islander is the same that has enabled Zach Parise to remain as valuable in today's game.
Like Kallur, not only does Parise bring those offensive instincts to the table as Kallur did, but he also is one of the more versatile players in the NHL.
In his two seasons with New York, Parise has played up and down the left side, and the right, and even lined up as a centerman as well.
"He'd put on the goalie pads if we asked him to," former Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said a year ago.
Parise has yet to miss a game with New York, playing all 82 last season, and has played all 78 thus far in 2022-23.
If the Islanders do make the postseason, Parise is an unsung hero for what he's done this season, especially with key players out.